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November 24, 2012

I am sorry to hear about Les. Les was my tutor when i was a sophomore in Bellingham High School, while he was my tutor he got to know my family and he became a family friend. He was a great tutor and a great friend, he will be missed.

Thanh

November 20, 2012

I first met Les at a Sierra Club meeting in Bellingham sometime in the early '80s, and later learned that he was a friend of dear mutual friends, Dick & Shirley Hayes. I often would see Les around Ferndale, usually at the post office we would chance to meet and stop to say hello.

He was always fun to converse with ... very philosophical, deep thinking and cared, really cared about the world and the community. He told me that his father on his deathbed had asked him to "Take care of Mother" ... and he thought a lot about those words. He loved his Mother and his Grandmother, his Godmother, the Mother Mary, mothers in general, and our home on Mother Earth. And he yearned for fathers: his father, his grandfather, the fatherlands of Hungary and Mongolia, and the relationships he had with his God son and other children in his life.

I was fortunate to spend some quality time with him on the last year of his life. It was painful to see him ill, but his countenance and courage were strong and peaceful. His final days were like a glowing sunset, gradually slipping away while he thought about his loved ones and about the future of the country and earth.

He gave so much to help make the community and world a better place, he created family with the people he met and loved, and will remain as close to each of us anytime we see the color yellow ... which of course permeates everything. Les loved Haikus, Yellow, and his five themes of Love, Study, Work, Play, & Teach ... what a wonderful person, a gentleman, a mentor, a friend, an inspiration and a glowing light. I feel so fortunate for having known him, and only wish the time could have been longer, but am extremely grateful, and the world is a better place because of Les Farkas.

For those of you who may be curious about how "Mr. Les" came about: Les built after the families who originally built through the Self-Help Homes in 1984. We had a large group of children from the ages of 4 on up! However, I felt we should find a special name for Leslie Farkas since he was older than we parents and therefore, have a more respectful name. Mr. Farkas seemed too formal and Les seemed too informal. I discussed this with the kids one day as they were all out playing, and one (Zack) yelled out, "Mr. Les!" Thus, his name was born and eventually, we all started calling him Mr. Les. He was a wonderful, knowledgeable man, and will be missed.

~

Lanea Lemmon,

Ferndale, Washington

November 14, 2012

Lester Farkas has a favorite saying that came from a Chinese childrens story book. "A Yellow House is a Happy House" Lester served his country during the Viet Nam war. After the war he taught English to many Vietnamese families and helped them assimilate into American society. Lester relocated to Ferndale following a long and dedicated career in Govt. service. In 1992 Lester kindly volunteered his leadership skills to help organize and build public support for the passage of the Ferndale Community Library Bond. Driven by the passion for education,literature and culture.Lester was the consistent voice supporting the wisdom of investing in libraries. Lester's final resting place will be the Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C. Lester's lasting legacy may not be the brick and mortar "Community building" better yet the heart felt Community building humanitarian spirit that lifts all boats..even little yellow boats. Thank You Lester Farkas

I met "Mr. Les" when I moved into his neighborhood in Ferndale in 1998.He always walked most every day to town and if you happened to see him walk by,you could always get him to stop and chat. I loved the Christmas cards he sent every year as they were homemade with some sort of drawing and some awesome thoughts about all kinds of events and happenings in the world. I even would offer him a ride if I happened to see him walking and I was going that way,he was always very gracious.I will surely miss him in the neighborhood. God Bless you Les you will truly be missed.

November 13, 2012

Les was a very special person in my families lives. We met over 32 years ago and Les walked my wife Maggie down the aisle. He was instramental in my son Zach becoming an Eagle Scout. He instilled the love for reading in both my children. Andraya and Zach both write Haikus' thanks to Les. We lost a very kind and giving friend. It had to be a straight shot to Heaven.

I just got the news that you passed away last night. You are going to be dearly miss by so many. I will always have my memories of you having fun at your YELLOW house you have known me I was a baby I'm glad I'm a god daughter to my god parents or else I wouldn't have known you. You are up in heaven where it's nice and peaceful looking down and watching over me RIP my dear friend love you more then you know.

Love,Michelle

November 08, 2012

I am sorry to hear about Les. My family and I first got to know him when we built our homes together in Ferndale. Dora Henry

November 08, 2012

I grew up as a neighbor of Les. My heart goes out to his family.

~

Erica,

Bellingham, Washington

9 text entries, 4 photos

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